Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 39

James's POV

I was by myself for the night. My sisters wanted to see some show about an hour away so my parents booked a hotel room and are staying there for the night and coming home tomorrow morning. But I wanted to stay for dance and had no interest in my sisters likes. Michelle begged me to let her stay over, but I refused.

I had just sat down in the living room to watch a movie when I heard somebody banging on the front door. Not thinking much of it, I got up and opened the door. But I was surprised by what I saw.

Riley was crying her eyes out and shaking. She was covered in cuts, bruises and blood. I was shocked.

"Can I come in?" She asks.

"Riley what happened?" I asked.

"Can you please let me in?" She asks again.

I was torn. I wasn't allowed to talk to Riley. But here she was, a complete mess.

She starts crying again and turns around to walk away.

"Riley wait!" I call out. She turns around.

"Yeah?"

"Aren't you coming in?" I ask with a small smile.

••••••••••

I gently lifted Riley up on the bathroom counter. I dampened a cloth and started cleaning her up.

"What happened?" I ask.

"When I got home, my father and his friends were there. They started beating me up and raping me." She whispers.

I froze and slowly put the cloth down. I look at her in the eyes.

"They did that?" I ask. She nods.

"A couple days ago, one of the men came in my room and started touching me. That what I wanted to tell you that day in the music room but Michelle told me to go away." She replies.

I pull her into a hug. She cries into my shoulder.

"I needed you so badly! You told me that I could trust you but than you just pushed me away!" She cries.

"I know. I'm sorry." I reply.

••••••••••

After I cleaned Riley up, I leaned against the counter and stared at her.

"I think you should get going home Ri." I tell her.

"No! No James, if I go back he's going to kill me! He's going to kill me James!" She shrieks, bursting into tears.

"Shhhh, shhh. Okay, calm down now Riles." I tell her, setting my hands on her shoulders and getting her to look at me.

"Okay? Calm down." I soothe. She slowly stops crying and wipes her tears.

"Do you want to stay here tonight?" I ask her.

"Can I?" She asks.

"Of course Riles." I reply. I pick her up in my arms and bring her to my room, setting her down on my bed. I sit next to her. I touch a bruise on her forehead.

"Does that hurt?" I ask. She nods. I touch one on her chin.

"Does that hurt?" I ask. She nods again. I gently touch a cut on her lip before I lean in quickly and seal our lips together.

Time stops. I have been wanting this kiss for years, and I finally got it. It was amazing. I pull away and smile at Riley.

"Did that hurt?" I ask. She smiles shyly.

"No. Maybe you should do that again though to make sure." She replies. I put my hand on her neck, rubbing my thumb over her skin.

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea." I respond.

We smile a little before we lean in again, sharing another kiss.